Continuous electrophysiologic monitoring of cerebral function in the pediatric intensive care unit

The brains of children admitted to intensive care units are at considerable risk. Electrophysiologic techniques are the most suitable of available methods for uninterrupted surveillance of brain function. Although the use of routine electroencephalography for this purpose is impractical, automated electroencephalographic signal analysis and application of digital computer technology have made continuous monitoring of cerebral function feasible. Various methods of displaying modified electroencephalographic data in an understandable and interpretable form have been developed; the most commonly used devices are the cerebral function monitor and the compressed spectral array. Practical clinical applications and limitations of continuous cerebral function monitoring are discussed.